Newcastle manager Pardew thrilled with Santon's mental strength

The Italian full-back was left out of the Magpies' starting line-up for Sunday's meeting with Norwich City but came off the bench just after the hour-mark to perform well in his side's 1-0 victory with his showing pleasing his manager.

"I was really pleased for Davide - he had to come off the bench after being left out," Pardew told the Shields Gazette after he started the former Inter Milan man in the 2-1 loss to Arsenal last Monday.

"I think his form's suffered a little bit, but he sealed us up at the end, and I was pleased with that.